Introduction

The 'Soon Valley' (Urdu: وادئ سون) or Soon Sakesar is one of the famous valleys of Pakistan situated in the central Punjab province. The Valley is situated in the north west of Khushab. Naushera is the main town of the Valley. The Valley starts from Padhrar village and end to Sakesar that is the highest peak of Salt Range. The length of Soon Valley is 35 miles (56 km) and average width is 9 miles (14 km). The area of Soon Valley is 300-square-mile (780 km2). Although not as cold as the valleys up north, Soon valley consists of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, jungles, natural pools and ponds. Soon valley is also blessed with ancient civilization, natural resources, and fertile farms. There are some special features of this valley that distinguish it from other areas, without knowing about them it is very hard to understand its importance. Sabhral, Khoora, Naushera, Mardwal, Kufri, Anga, Ugali, Uchali and Bagh Shams-ud-Din are important towns in soon valley. Kanhatti Garden, Sodhi Garden, Da'ep and Sakesar are resorts to visit. Awan tribe is settled in Soon ValleyLocated at a height of 5,010 feet (1,530 m) above sea level, Sakesar was once the summer headquarters for the Deputy Commissioners of three districts - Campbelpur (now Attock), Mianwali and Shahpur (now Sargodha). It is the only mountain in this part of the Punjab which receives snow fall in winters. In view of Sakesar's ideal location and height, the PAF selected it in the late-50s as the site for a high powered radar which would provide air defence cover for the northeastern part of the western wing. Pakistan Television's re-broadcasting center has been installed to provide terrestrial transmissions coverage to adjoining areas

Lakes of Soon Valley

There are two well-renowned Uchhali Lake and Khabikki Lake lakes in Soon valley. Uchhali is a salt water lake in the southern Salt Range area in Pakistan. This lake is formed due to the absence of drainage in the range. Sakaser, the highest mountain in the Salt Range, looms over the lake. Due to its brackish water the lake is lifeless. But it offers a picturesque scenery. Khabikki Lake is a salt water lake in the southern Salt Range area in Pakistan. This lake is formed due to the absence of drainage in the range. The lake is one kilometer wide and two kilometres long. Khabikki is also the name of a neighbouring village. Boats are also available and there is a rest house beside the lake. A hill gently ascended on the right side of the lake. The lake and the green area around provide a good scenery. These lakes attract thousands of migratory birds each year and are ideal haven for the bird watchers. Tucked in the southern periphery of the Salt Range and hemmed in by its higher cliffs, is a cluster of natural lakes — Ucchali, Khabbeki and Jhallar in district Khushab. These lakes are said to be 400 years old, maybe more. The lakes are a prime sanctuary for the migratory birds and were declared a protected sanctuary for the native and migratory avifauna on the appeal of World Wildlife Fund. Nestled at about 800 meters above the sea, lakes have some marsh vegetation and are mostly surrounded by cultivated land, which is picturesquely intersected by hillocks. The lakes are fed by the spring, seepage from adjacent areas, and run off from the neighbouring hills of the historic Salt Range. The lakes are one of the most important wintering areas for the rare white-headed ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) in Pakistan that comes here from Central Asia. Locals believe that there is a volcano hidden beneath the surface of the Ucchali Lake due to which the colour of the water keeps changing. The appearance of a vert broad and brightly coloured rainbow in 1982 for consecutive 15 days is also attributed to this analogy. in 1982, a strange phenomenon was observed in the villages Ucchali and Dhadhar. The lakes’ water is also said to cure gout and skin diseases. People have been taking the water from the lakes as far as Lahore and Karachi. People think that a pure white winged creature called Great egret, from Grus family, found in the area is a symbol of longevity.

Mahala Jurwal, is the biggest and most densed street of Naushahra. Malik Sultan Mubaraz, a well knw transporter of last dacade belongs to this street

Mahala Qazian Wallah, is also a famous street of Naushera, where the famous qadis of Naushera used to live.

Graveyard of qadi family

Sodhi Jai Wali is also famous for its natural Water falls and Garden as well. The Garden is located near a Historical Rest House, It is said that this Rest House was gifted by Syed Family of Sodhi Jai wali to the British Rulers.

The unexplored archaeology of the valley is an open invitation for the Archaeologists, Historians and Researches to unlock the mysteries of past. This area has been habited by Prehistoric Man; There are numerous caves that require scientific archaeological excavations. The ancient civilizations have been ruling this valley and left his traces behind. Buddhism had a strong hold of this valley for many centuries and thus history has been playing its role for Soonsakesar valley either conquered or Conqueror. Very rare scientific Archaeological studies have been carried out throughout the valley and no preservation and protection of these sites is provided by the Government, however it is also the responsibility of the locals to understand the important of their history and to play an active role for the preservation and restoration of these archaeological sites for the coming generations and this website has the same mission primarily focusing on Archaeology. Traces of ancient man in the SoonSakesar valley can be found even long before the world oldest civilizations. At the end of last ice age that melted down around 10,000 years ago, the northern Pakistan finally settled into its present topographic and morphological features. SoonSakesar valley is located at the toe of northern Pakistan. The climatologically, geographical and environmental scenario of the SoonSakesar valley has been the most suitable for the ancient man to stay here long before the advent of civilizations. It is an area that was moderate in climate, where summer seasons were pleasant and winter were not as hostile as the snow covered northern areas of Pakistan. So man evolved here during Stone Age in caves and natural shelters through all the three Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. Human footprints present in the limestone formation of the valley very clearly indicate the traces of Stone Age. So for we know only about Homo Sapiens, but who knows that future deep Archaeological studies may reveal the traces left behind by Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, Australopithecus or Pakipithecus and among these the first SoonSakesarian may then be finally highlighted. Most of these sites are near springs and water bodies and food was sufficient because hunting was easier in mountainous landscape as compared with plain areas. The major archaeological sites of the valley are as following,

1. Fort and Hindu Shahi Temples of 9 A.D. at Amb Sharif.

2. Temples at Sakesar.

3. Human foot Prints (Fossils) at Daep Sharif.

4. Ruins of temples at Shakar Kot.

5. Archaeological mounds north of Naushahra.

6. Akrand cliff Fort near Kanhati garden.

7. Ruins of a central jail of Indo-Parthian kingdom near Bhanaka.

8. Hindu temple at Narsing Phoohar.

9. 13th century Tulajh Cliff fort near Khura.

10. Kot Magan Cliff fort near Jahlar.

11. Hardo Sodhi cliff Fort.

12. Remains of Bhuddist stupa at Hardo Sodhi.

13. Pre-Historic caves.

Transportation

Soon Valley is accessible through public transport from Islamabad (M2 Balkasar Interchange), Lahore (M2 Kalar Kahar Intrechange), Sargodha , Khushab and Mianwali . It is about 2 and half hours from Khushab, from Islamabad side you enter in valley by jaba road through Talagang. Locations SoonSakesar is a wonderland located in the heart of Pakistan and has unique geographical features that exists very rare in the world which are its closed drainage patterns that lead to the formation of Uchhali, Khabeki and Jahlar Lakes. SoonSakesar valley was called as Koh-e-Jodh in ancient times and is the most beautiful part of Salt Range. It is a valley of Lakes and springs, Lush green fertile fields, Versatile mountains, Amazing landscape, Dense mixed forests, Sanctuaries of wildlife, Brave peoples of high traditions, Rich Archaeology, Pre-Historic sites, Ancient History and much more

SoonSakesar valley can be also called as Central Salt Range, located to the North West of Khushab city, administratively falls in District Khushab, Punjab Province, Pakistan. It is bounded by Potohar plateau to the north, Punjab Plains (Khushab plains) to the South, Indus River at some distance to the West of Sakesar Peak and Kalar Kahar near the eastern boundaries. Geographically valley is located between coordinates 32. 26' 11" to 32. 41' 18"North and 71. 50' 33" to 72. 30' 07" East. Geographical Coordinates of Some important locations are given below for quick access,

1. Naushahra Village 32. 34' 09"N & 72. 09' 15"

2. Uchhali Lake 32. 33' 30"N & 72. 01' 25"

3. Khabeki Lake 32. 37' 19"N & 72. 12' 48"

4. Jahlar Lake 32. 29' 53"N & 72. 05' 14"

5. Amb Temples 32. 30' 30"N & 71. 56' 11"

6. Akrand Cliff Fort 32. 39' 27"N & 72. 15' 47"

Soon Valley is accessible through five different routes from Islamabad, Lahore and Mianwali.

Route A.

While coming from Islamabad/Rawalpindi, enter on M2 motorway towards Lahore, move out of motorway from Balkasar Interchange and travel towards Talagang, after crossing Talagang drive on Khushab road (Katha road) upto Jaba mor and you are standing in the SoonSakesar valley, from Jaba Mor Naushahra village is 25 km. Total distance from Islamabad to Naushahra is 210 km.At about 2 km from Jaba Mor towards Khushab there is another road that is called Sultan Mehndi - Sodhi Road and this road also leads to Naushahra while travelling through beautiful Jungles and condition of this road is much better than Jaba-Naushahra road.

Route B.

While coming from Lahore, enter on M2 motorway towards Islamabad and move out of Motorway from Kalar Kahar interchange, then travelling from Kalar Kahar to Padhrar and Pail villages that are the eastern most villages of SoonSakesar, take a turn from Pail Chowk to Jaba Mor and from Jaba Mor Naushahra village is 25 km. Total distance from Lahore to Naushahra is 295 km. At about 2 km before Jaba Mor there is another road that is called Sultan Mehndi - Sodhi Road and this road also leads to Naushahra while travelling through beautiful Jungles.

Route C.

The old route for travelling from Lahore to SoonSakesar is via Sargodha. To travel on this route one can move out of motorway from Pindi Bhattian interchange and after crossing Sargodha reach Khushab and Naushahra is 55km from Khushab on Sakesar road. Total distance from Lahore to Naushahra is 280 km.

Route D.

The persons coming from Mianwali can reach Khushab and take the same route as mentioned in Route-C.

Route E.

From a small town called Qaidabad located on Khushab-Mianwali road, a road leads to the Sakesar top and from there one can enter in SoonSakesar valley, but before travelling on this road advance permission is required from Pakistan Air Force for crossing the Sakesar top.